Wi-Fi Meshing AP Shipments To Double By 2010

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., January 17, 2007 - Wi-Fi meshing, which allows wireless access nodes to achieve a longer range by using each other as repeaters, is becoming increasingly common in several markets, reports In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com). More than 50,000 Wi-Fi mesh AP unit shipments are expected in 2006, with almost 100,000 unit shipments expected in 2010, the high-tech market research firm says. Incompatibility among systems, however, is a potential hurdle for the growth of the technology.

“There is no industry standard for mesh networking, yet, so interoperability between mesh vendors continues to be problematic; customers must purchase their Wi-Fi mesh networking gear from one vendor,” says Gemma Tedesco, In-Stat analyst. “However, Wi-Fi clients are standardized and prolific, providing a ready and waiting installed base for Wi-Fi mesh networks.”

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

* Although Tropos has the largest mindshare in municipal mesh networking, Nortel, Strix, BelAir, and SkyPilot made aggressive pushes into the market in 2006.
* Cisco is perceived as a wildcard in this market, as it just launched Wi-Fi mesh APs in late 2005, but it is using its strong IT channels into businesses and government networks.
* Throughout 2006, most Wi-Fi mesh vendors tied their growth to muni¬cipal network build-outs.

Recent In-Stat research, In-Depth Analysis: Wi-Fi Goes Long: The Wi-Fi Mesh Equipment Market (#IN0602861WS), covers the market for Wi-Fi mesh technology. It includes an overview of the technology and profiles of major vendors. It also contains forecasts for AP unit shipments and revenue through 2010. Analysis of the technology’s drivers and barriers is included.

This research is part of In-Stat’s Wireless and Broadband Evolution Service. Broadband wireless data connectivity provides the key enabler for new mobility applications and services; which can offer enormous value to mobile consumer and business users. Wi-Fi, WiMAX, 3G/ 4G and other wireless technologies compete and complement each other to provide the connectivity for these services.

The Wireless Broadband Evolution Service provides actionable intelligence regarding the role that each technology may play in the growing wireless broadband market. Covering market and technology developments, operator deployments and end-user adoption, it includes primary research from the entire value chain including technology developers, equipment manufacturers, service providers and business and consumer end-users.

In-Stat offers a broad range of information resources and analytical assets to technology vendors, service providers, technology professionals, and market specialists worldwide. The company stands alone in its ability to integrate both supply-side and demand-side research methodologies into a single comprehensive view of technology markets and products. This capability relies on a unique ability to cover the entire value chain from engineering-level technology, through equipment, infrastructure, services and end-users.

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